And when requests were made for administering of a morphine drip, I was reminded of a conversation that I had with Greg in early summer of 1994 when he first told me of and showed me his ‘morphine drip’ prescription. He passed on 22 August 1994.

When, at the end, and during their ritual ‘quality time’ together that Denny Craig discussed with Alan that should he be in a similar situation as that of Shirley’s father that is his wish and request that Alan be the one to ‘pull the plug’ … I thorughly understood. And empathized.

Sakhi, who I referred to as the street vendor at Dupont Circle North, was amongst my first subjects when I retook of photography in 1992. While I have taken several images of him and his stand, over the years, mostly with film … it is those first images that I took of him that now come to mind as I learn of his death. And, it was those first images of him that I have remembered when, over the years, that I would pass by his vending stand.

A few days after taking the pictures of him, I presented copies to him. And, as a result, when ever I’d pass by his stand or that we’d encounter each other in the Dupont Circle, we both would acknowledge each other.

And It is those first images of Sakhi Gulestan that I have, since, included in my collection of favorites.

Click the above image by Peter Muller to read the entire article which features a photoessay tribute by Muller.

The episode, “In Sickness and In Wealth” is a story about health, but it’s not about doctors or drugs. Set mostly in Louisville, Kentucky, it’s a detective story out to solve the mystery of what’s stalking and killing so many Americans before their time. The program uncovers the connections between healthy bodies and healthy bank accounts – and why residents of so many other nations, including many poorer countries, live longer and healthier lives. Solutions, evidence suggests, may lie not in more pills but in more equality.

I had a brief conversation with my partner when dining at Peter Pan Diner in Fort Lauderdale a few weeks ago regarding green burials. Which is how I wish to be buried. And should their be a coffin, my preference is for a very simple pine wooden box. And no memorial service. While cremation had always been my preference since some family members may will object, to cremation, I was happy to learn in a news report of green burials.